Afghan president says his country owes 'profound debt' to US

WASHINGTON - Trying to repair relations with the U.S., Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is telling Congress that his country owes a 'profound debt' to the more than 2,200 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

In a speech to a joint meeting of Congress, Ghani also thanked the U.S. for development aid and other civilian assistance. And he promised he will be a good steward of continued U.S. assistance to his country as it works to rebuild while struggling against a stubborn insurgency.

Ghani got a warm welcome from both Republicans and Democrats. Hours before Ghani spoke, at least six people were killed and more than 30 were wounded in a suicide car bombing near the presidential palace in Kabul.